TENS OF thousands of people filed past the coffin of US senator Edward Kennedy as he lay in repose at the John F Kennedy Memorial Library outside Boston yesterday, forming a queue outside more than a quarter of a mile long.
Members of the senator’s family, including his sister Jean Kennedy Smith, a former ambassador to Ireland, greeted mourners as they arrived at the library, sometimes after waiting for hours. A memorial service was due to be held at the library last night, with tributes led by vice-president Joe Biden and Mr Kennedy’s niece Caroline Kennedy planning to make closing remarks.
US president Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy at today’s funeral Mass in Boston, after which Mr Kennedy’s body will be flown to Arlington Cemetery, outside Washington, to be buried next to his assassinated brothers John F Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy.
The Rev Jesse Jackson was among those who visited the library yesterday. “We’re here in mourning and celebration. We’re here because we’re in Ted Kennedy’s debt,” he said. Three of the four living ex-US presidents are expected to attend the funeral Mass: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush. Former president George HW Bush (85) was said to be unable to travel. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi is also expected.
At last night’s memorial service, Mr Kennedy’s lifelong friend Connecticut senator Chris Dodd said his former colleague would have “enjoyed a uniquely Celtic kick out of hearing people who abhorred his politics say incredibly nice things about him”.
The memorial service was due to be attended by former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who worked with Mr Kennedy over many years to reach consensus on controversial legislation. Republican senator Orrin Hatch and Democrats Christopher Dodd and John Kerry were also expected. – (Additional reporting: Reuters and Guardian)